Building Faithful Families

ELECTION 2012 who do I vote for?

2012-01-24T23:36:00.003-06:00

After 17 debates, we have had more than enough opportunities to hear the Republican candidates for the Presidency of the United States. Having endured debate after endless debate, after witnessing more scandals, accusations, name calling and finger pointing than we have heard since recess in the third grade. The time has come for us to make a decision in Florida. Throughout the debates, Congressman Ron Paul has shown himself to be a man that exemplifies Christian values and who holds faithfully to his convictions without waver or compromise. His long consistent stance for Pro-life issues, his Pro-Constitutional record, his desire to deeply cut National spending, end the Federal Reserve, promote liberty and encourage fiscal responsibility, just to name a few, are examples of a man with conservative convictions in these areas. Often Congressman Paul is criticized for his foreign policy stance, however, as a Christian my concerns are more for some of his social libertarian leanings, than his foreign policy.

The problem with the social libertarian ideology is that ignores the God revering premise of constitutional self-government. Libertarianism confuses true liberty, with licentious for individual freedom. It confuses our Republican form of government, based on the sovereign right of the people, with a government based on the notion of sovereign States’ “rights”, which includes the idea that people have a “right” to do wrong. Libertarianism claims a person derives these rights, at the State level, however as a Christian I understand man’s rights come from our Creator, not the State. America was founded as a Republic, and a republican form of government is limited by our respect for our God-endowed unalienable right to be free to do what is right and good, but limits a person’s freedom to do that which may harm others in the community at large. This honors both God and man who was created in His image. Our nation’s founding Fathers consulted and quoted from the Bible more than any other source as they penned the Constitution, it is important to understand two of the foundational principles found in the Bible namely, what Jesus called the Greatest commandment, which summed up the Law and the Prophets, Jesus said the greatest commandment was, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.” and the second was like it, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)

The greatest way an individual can love himself is to give himself the greatest good, which is of course God, therefore to love our neighbor as ourself is to share God’s love with others in word and in deed. The restraint of evil and the promotion of good is woven into our Constitution because it encourages us to be a moral people who do good to others and who have faith in God and obey His commandments. When laws are created by a moral religious people, they are meant to restrict or prevent those things which are harmful to others, they discourage those who seek to do evil and punish those who do.

This is beneficial to the whole society, it honors God and fulfills what our Constitution was meant to do, which is to give people the freedom to pursue life, liberty and happiness.

John Adams once said, “We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” Understanding the biblical truth that man is sinful and depraved by nature, John Adams went on to say, “Public virtue cannot exist in a nation without private, and public virtue is the only foundation of republics. There must be a positive passion for the public good, the public interest, honor, power and glory, established in the minds of the people, or there can be no republican government, nor any real liberty: and this public passion must be superior to all private passions.” The founders realized that people needed some restraints placed on them for the good of all. The believer in God, has the ability for self-government, for he is governed by and restrained by, not so much the laws of men, but the power of the Holy Spirit, the laws of God and a changed heart which desires to obey His law. The unbeliever however, as the founders knew, must be restrained by the laws of man, since he does not have the Spirit nor the changed heart by which he is internally restrained. This is why on social issues Libertarians have it wrong.

Having stated my reservations with the social Libertarian ideology, I would still feel most comfortable with Congressman Ron Paul, as compared to the remaining candidates. His personal faith in Jesus Christ, his many years as a physician, his desire to protect the Constitution, shrink the size of government and his knowledge of the financial system, make him the most appealing candidate to me, despite his shortcomings. Rick Santorum, who would be my second choice, I feel would still grow the government, though it would be on a slower pace than the current President, would continue to police the world with our military and would not make the deep cuts to national spending necessary to save our nation from a coming economic collapse. The remaining two candidates, Governor Mitt Romney and Speaker Newt Gingrich, are, after a close look at their records, big government Progressives, which is the extreme opposite of the Libertarian or Conservative views on government, and they would continue, as our current President Barak Obama, to work to subvert the Constitutional rights of the people, increase the size and scope of government and impose more regulations on the people, while rapidly moving our nation away from being a Republic, to being a Socialistic Democracy or even a Marxist form of government, under which the Constitution would no longer govern our great nation, stripping us of our rights and liberty.

Looking Ahead to 2012

2012-01-07T14:02:00.005-06:00

I'm sure 2011 went as fast to you as it did for my family and I. We added another new member to our family Kaden, and saw God continue to grow our church, Grace & Truth Family Baptist. We are blessed to serve with such a committed group of believers.

I want to take a moment to outline where I feel God is leading us as a church and family in 2012.

First I am excited about the prospect of electing a couple of elders to help lead the church, the process will take some time, but it is important to follow God's timing not ours. Next I want us to complete our study of the One True God and I will finish preaching through the Gospel of John. These studies have helped us learn about the sovereignty of God and the Deity of Christ, two foundational truths that have been important for the building of our church. This year we will study the Holy Spirit, His work in our lives and in the life of our church, I will begin preaching through an OT book, and we will study some doctrinal positions such as, the limited atonement and the doctrine of election.

This year we will also host three events, the showing of the movie IndoctriNation, a conference called, Reforming Your Family, and our annual Reformation Day celebration.

All of these events are meant to point us to the importance of God's word in our lives and the need for us to change and reform how we live as Christians in a culture that has rejected the truth of the Bible.

The truth is under attack, there is a growing assault on God's word and fewer Christians are standing up and getting in the fight. Psalm 119:160 says, "The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous decrees endures forever."

Today, many Christians are living according to whats popular in the culture, rather than according to what God's word says. They seek acceptance with the world, under the flag of tolerance and compromise. Has the church has declared peace with the enemies of God in order to get along with everyone? Many people today regard the Bible as myth or fable, rejecting every claim of absolute truth.

In a 2005 Barna survey on truth:

It was reported that only 35% of the people surveyed believe in absolute truth. 32% said that truth was relative and determined only by the circumstances, and 33% responded they didn’t know if truth existed.

This is a telling survey on the spiritual condition of our nation, as Christians we must stand for the truth and live it.

All truth starts with what is true about God, the truth about God is the foundation of all truth.

In 2012 lets stand for the truth in all aspects of our lives and in doing so be a beacon of light and hope to those who are lost, blind and mislead by the lies of the enemy.

The Aroma of Worship

2011-10-01T21:08:00.004-05:00

It doesn't matter where you go in the world, in the highest mountains, the most remote jungles, the largest cities you will find it there. In every Ethnic group, every people, in every language, it is practiced. Worship. People were created for worship. God has given mankind a built-in desire to attribute value and worth to that which they see as great, and to exalt that which they admire and cherish. Some live in far away, remote corners of the globe. Still other's live closer to home, they are some of the most devoted worshippers in the world, they are found in their places of worship that seat thousands every Saturday or Sunday in cities all over this country, their commitment and devotion to their god is unmatched, they spend hours in preparation for worship, they arrive early to prepare food, they gladly give their money and they passionately glorify and exalt their god above all others, they spend countless hours teaching their children to love and adore their god, Football fans are some of the most committed that I have ever seen.

In comparison many of the churches across our nation are dead or dying, their devotions have been divided, they have lost their first love. Church we must take a new look at the God that we serve, many in the church today are more devoted to their favorite team or movie star than to Christ!!

They will drive hours for a glimpse of them as they walk down the red carpet. They read and study their every word in the tabloids so that they can get to know them more intimately, they even seek to conform to their likeness, by spending their money trying to look like them, wearing the same clothing and having the same hair styles.

All of these worshippers I just mentioned worship that which brings them self-gratification. Like a salad bar, they pick and choose their god. Happiness and satisfaction is what they are after, seeking to find it in flawed people which will always let them down.

John Piper said, in his book, Desiring God, “Our problem is not that we want to be satisfied, it is that we are far to easily satisfied.”

You see, God wants us to find our satisfaction in Him and not lessor things. Because He is the supreme good, anything else will fail us. As we look to Jesus to satisfy our longing to worship, everything else begins to pale in comparison.

“That the things of this world would grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace...”

When we focus our minds attention and hearts affections on Him, everything else begins to lose value, compared to the unsurpassed greatness of God!

He alone is worthy of our worship, praise and adoration.

Paul writes in (Philippians 3:8), “Indeed, I count everything as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”

When we see Jesus for who He is, everything else begins to loose value, compared to knowing Him!

The more intimately we know Him, the better perspective we begin to have on life. On our priorities, we begin to see the idols we cherish, addictions and habits that take our affections away from Christ. The more we know Him, the more it pleases us to obey and worship Him. It starts to come naturally to us, as we study His attributes we see Him for who His is, God almighty.

In John 12:1-8 Mary anointed Jesus' feet with expensive oil.

Mary did not use water to wash the feet of Jesus, (it is likely His feet would have already been washed by a servant of the house), so instead of this being a customary foot washing, she was expressing something more, she didn’t use water, she used an expensive oil made of pure nard. Nard came from a plant grown in India called, Spinikard, and was worth about a year’s wages.
Imagine that in today’s money about a forty thousand dollar bottle of perfume, being dumped out onto someone’s feet.

What would compel someone to do that? I think I know...

You see, when you get a glimpse of the immensity of the omnipotent, sovereign, Son of God who says, with such authority, to the dead, “Lazarus Come Forth!” and the dead rises and walks out of the tomb. When you have witnessed the impossible become possible before your eyes, there is something inside you that changes.
It happened to Moses, to Isaiah, to Paul...it happens to each one of us when God saves us. There is a change that takes place inside. We no longer desire the same things we used to desire.

All the things in this life that you once held dear, that you used to cling to for security and comfort. Those things that gave you status and the feeling that you were important, the college degrees and the wealth all become common and ordinary in light of what you have witnessed God do!

It is as though, there is very little thought about tomorrow, because of the radiance of His presence, just being in His presence is enough. Tomorrow looses it’s appeal, because things couldn’t get any better than they are right now, in the presence of God!

This is worship church! Being so caught up in His presence that you loose sight of your unpaid bills, your sickness, your unemployment, your broken down car, your governments out of control spending, you loose sight of the temporal, and you enter into His presence with humble thanksgiving and praise.

Mary worshipped Jesus that day in her home. She wasn’t in the Temple, the priests or rabbi’s were not there, the scribes and the Pharisees didn’t tell her what to do or how to do it. She was just compelled to give sacrificially out of an abundance of love and adoration as she sat admiring the greatness of God!

Then there are those who refuse see Jesus for who He is. They sit there while others worship and wonder what all the fuse is about. They look at the offering and wonder why would anyone give their hard earned money to the work of the church, just as Judas wondered why anyone waste something of such great value?! Church nothing you offer up to God is ever wasted!

Do you know what Judas was really saying?....It is the same thought that Lucifer had, don’t give glory to Him! I deserve the glory, I want the credit, I want people to admire and worship me!

Judas thought, let me sell it and give the money to the poor and I will be seen as great in the eyes of men, I will be praised and adored.

This attitude brings us back to where we started the sermon, far too many people are seeking self-gratification and self-engrandizement, putting their desires above God, devoting themselves to, and sacrificing to those things that bring them the most pleasure. It is idolatry.

God wants your whole heart, He had Mary’s, don’t let yourself be satisfied with less than God.

One of the ways we keep ourselves from pursuing self-gratification and worshipping those things that make us feel good about ourselves, is to let the constant praise of God be on our lips.

Psalm 66:1-4, Psalm 67:1-3

Godly Education or godless education?

2011-08-26T17:05:00.014-05:00

"I am much afraid that schools will prove to be the great gates of Hell unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures, engraving them in the hearts of youth." Martin Luther, Reformer 1539

Today, in fact right now, as you read this blog post, as a Christian parent you are faced with the most significant decision you will make regarding you children's future. "How will I choose to educate my children?" The choice is between two ideologies. 1)To take responsibility of the education of your children, as their parent, by insuring that Christ and the Bible are at the center of all they learn or, 2)To give that responsibility to the State, giving them full say over what your children learn and how they learn it, void of Christ and the Bible.

The first choice is the clear biblical choice, the Scriptures are clear, parents are to be the primary educators of their children. Deuteronomy 6:6-7, "And the words I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them whe you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up. " in Proverbs 1:8 we read, "Hear my son your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching." Proverbs 4:1 "Hear O, sons a father's instruction and be attentive, that you may gain insight." and again in Proverbs 6:1, 13:1, 22:6.

Luke 6:40, reminds us that our children become like the one who is teaching them. It says, "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher."

Public school education avoids telling your children the truth that God is the soveriegn Creator of the universe, it neglects to teach the fact that God sustains all life and that everything that was created was made for His glory. Instead of history being taught as HIS-STORY, it focuses on secular men who have devised "free" public school education with an ungodly, even anti-God agenda and your children are the recipients. Why are so many churches weak and ineffective? Why are so many Christian families in trouble? Why are so many "Christian teens" involved in pre-marital sex, drugs, alcohol, violence and the like? As pastor Voddie Baughcam said, "If you send your children to Ceasar to be educated, don't be surprised when they come home Romans."

The public school system is wrecked beyond repair, we are spending an average of $8701.00 per child, each year, for public school education in America. If parents were able to keep these resources, many Moms could stay home and educate their children, praying with them, nurturing them, spending time with them and teaching them the truth found in God's word, not the philosophies of fallen men.

May God grant you wisdom, discernment and a humble obedient heart to do what He has commanded in His word, parents must take the role of educating their children.

Building Faithful Families: Worship God

2011-08-17T22:42:00.000-05:00

Building Faithful Families: Worship God

Worship God

2011-08-17T22:23:00.005-05:00

Dating back as far as we have written records, in every culture in the world, in every given language, mankind has recorded acts of worship. Drawn on the walls of caves, written on parchment, etched in stone, painted, and depicted in art forms such as music, sculptures and paintings, worship is a universal behavior.

All people worship, even those who claim to be Athiests are worshipping something, usually themselves, the material world, science or philosophy.

Why? Why is worship such an consistent, universal part of the human experience?

The word itself, worship, is derived from the Old English worthscipe, or worth-ship — meaning to attribute worth or value to, to cherish or to highly esteem or hold in high regard.

Out of this desire to attribute value, to cherish, to behold that which is higher and grander than self, comes religion, which is simply a belief system made up of a set of behaviors, actions, traditions and moral guidelines which govern a persons life. From this internal desire to worship comes religion. Due to Satan’s desire to counterfeit true worship, man’s desire for worship and his sinful nature, religion is often corrupted and becomes all about satisfying self.

Over the centuries men have devised all kinds of religious activities in an effort to make their worship fulfilling and satisfying. But religion always falls short, leaving its participants empty. So some religions beat themselves, cut themselves, starve themselves, some attack or kill others in the name of their religion, all in an effort to somehow satisfy the god they have created for themselves. (Romans 1:18-32)

Are there different kinds of worship?

YES, Three found in the Scriptures: False worship, Vain worship, True worship

False worship, is the worship of anything or anyone other than the One True God as He describes Himself in the Bible.
Vain worship, is the worship of the One True God the wrong way.
True worship, is worshipping the One True God in a manner that is acceptable to Him according to His word.

The Bible only speaks about three kinds of worship.

I. False worship (Isaiah 42:8)

Isaiah 42:17, Isaiah 42:11, Exodus 20:3

False worship takes many forms

From well organized world religions that have millions of followers
To small cults and groups
Many worship dead men who have written new revelations of God
They use idols, relics and various items as worship aids
Many are very devoted to what they believe
Some perform elaborate rituals and ceremonies
Many of these false religions have similar beliefs
They are based upon people working to earn favor with their god to merit a place in heaven
Some believe they will come back, or be reincarnated, as a higher life form if their behavior in this life is good
Why do they do all of this? Humans long for answers & to be happy

Vain worship (Matthew 15:8-9)

Often the followers of “Christian” denominations that are ignorant of what God says in His word about worshipping Him.
Instead they cling to what they see other religions doing and copy what they see, following the traditions of men rather than God. (Deuteronomy 12:30-31)
Isaiah 42:8, Exodus 20:4-5
Many of the leaders who practice vain worship seek to keep their congregations ignorant of the Word of God, so they can elevate themselves above their congregations and receive praise and honor for themselves.
Revelation 22:8-9
The opposite however, can also be true, in many churches the people who grow apathetic, lazy, disinterested in the things of God, satisfied with the little bit they know about Him. Comfortable where they are, not wanting to grow or be challenged. Not willing to share the Gospel, longing to be entertained, amused and to feel good about themselves. They worship themselves, always putting themselves first, their comfort, their happiness and their pleasure being found not in God, but in their needs being met!
Exodus 20:21
Moses knew His greatest need was God, so He pursued God, even when it seems dangerous, difficult, uncomfortable and scary. But he found God to be the One to satisfy his desire for pleasure and joy.
John Piper says, in his book Desiring God, “The problem is not that people seek pleasure, it is that we are far too easily satisfied!” He goes on to say..”Longing to be happy is a universal human experience that we should not try to deny, the deepest and most enduring happiness however, isn’t found in things or people, but in God, that happiness reaches it’s fullest when we worship Him, praise Him, adore Him, and tell others about Him.”
Isn’t it true that when you enjoy something, when find pleasure in something such as, a sun set at the beach, you say to those around you, “Look at the sunset, isn’t it beautiful!” Sharing the sight with others completes your joy of it. All of our enjoyment spontaneously overflows with praise! The reader praises her favorite book, fishermen their favorite lake, collectors their most rare coin, sportsmen their favorite team, movie watchers their favorite movies, cooks their favorite recipe, painters their latest painting.
So if God is the greatest most admirable, highest, most valuable and delightful being, then the most loving act He could do is to command us to praise, adore and glorify Him, and He must also demand we tell others about Him also, to make our joy of Him complete.
Vain worship focuses on us, on me, on self, God wants our focus to be on Him and Him alone! And that is because He wants our joy to be full.

Next time we will look at genuine worship, which God is seeking is worshiping God in a way that is acceptable to Him.

Family Integrated Church

2011-08-07T21:55:00.003-05:00

God continues to amaze me by bringing so many new families to join our congregation at Grace & Truth Family Baptist Church. We are a group of families that worship, grow and serve God together as families, not separating everyone out according to age. We hold to reformed doctrines of the faith and enjoy a blend of contemporary praise and hymns. We are thankful for God's provision and presence in our services. We meet at 301 S. Collins St. in historic downtown Plant City, FL

Thou Shall Not Display the Ten Commandments

2011-07-25T20:53:00.007-05:00

A Federal Judge ruled last week that a granite monument displaying the Ten Commandments has to be removed from public sight, at the Dixie County Florida Courthouse by, August 14 2011.

How should Christian's respond to such a ruling by the court system? Is the display of the Ten Commandments important, or is this not an issue worth fighting for, as one "Christian" journalist in the Orlando Sentinal said, "I question the very public banging of heads against the Establishment Clause over a dubious thesis that Christian thought has been booted from the public square."

The idea that standing to keep the word of God displayed in a court house is somehow, banging our heads against the Establishment Clause of the Constitution is clearly coming from a person who has little understanding of the Clause that states, Congress shall make no law regarding the establishment of a religion.

The displaying of the Ten Commandments is not establishing a religion, it is however, serving to announce the foundational truth by with all moral law on the planet is governed. And yes, it is worth standing for and preserving! This is the LINE we must hold, if the enemies of God's word go unchallenged at this point and are allowed to destroy or remove God's word from our courthouses, it will be our generation that let it happen. And just as the generation before us, who stood by when the bible and prayer were removed from public schools, our courthouses and our entire justice system will suffer in the years to come. A price our children will have to pay for our apathy. Psalm 119:4-6 "You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your Commandments."

Courtship vs. Dating

2011-07-18T20:20:00.001-05:00

Courtship? Isn't that like what they did on the old black and white TV shows like, "Leave it to Beaver" or "My Three Sons"? Unfortunately that's the only vague connection our generation has with the idea of Courtship. Our parents began using the term "Dating", my generation used the term "Going out", today the most popular term being used is, "Hooking up" and the definition has changed. In my lifetime "Going together" meant you had a boyfriend or girlfriend (of the opposite sex) and you promised to see each other exclusively. Today the term "Hooking up", most often refers to a having a sexual encounter with a person with no commitment required. Theres a new Ashton Kusher movie out called "No Strings Attached", that reflects how this practice has become a cultural norm.

This is not a new social trend, however, in Greek and Roman civilizations, the most modern of their day, this practice was rampant. As a Christian I am not surprised at the conduct of the Pagan, non-believing world. They do not have the capacity to behave any differently. They are merely following their basic instinct to satisfy self at all costs. They are eager to use another person to temporarily gratify themselves, like a person samples the food in a buffet line, then discards what he doesn't find appealing and goes back for what really satisfies him. This is the modern practice of dating, or hooking up, BUT it should not be so in the Church! (Romans 12:2)

Christian parents, do not fall into the trap of believing that two young people can be alone together on a regular basis and not become emotionally and sexually involved. Parents, do not believe the lie that your young adult child needs his or her independence without accountability. This is never a good thing, no where in Scripture does God encourage young adults to seek independence or privacy from their parents until they are married. As a parent it is my responsibility to make sure my young adult child does not give him or herself away to just anyone who shows interest. We have all heard it, (and perhaps have said it ourselves), "I just love, so and so...) ( I just can't live without, so and so...) There is an initial emotional reaction to receiving attention from the opposite sex, this makes a person "feel good" about themselves, and they in turn give the other person the same feelings about themselves. This continues for a time until the "fun and newness" wares off. In our recreation and entertainment driven culture it does'nt take long for the feeling to wear off and for someone else comes along to once more produces these same feelings all over again. This leads to break-up after break-up, which is ultimately preparing the two young adults for a series of divorces and re-marriages throughout their lives. WE have ALL seen this played out time and time again, and yet, we continue to allow this practice in our own children even in the Church, WHY? (Colossians 2:8)

Because the Church is ignorant, for the most part, of the Biblical model for moving our young adult children into a meaningful, respectful, nurturing relationship that has marriage as the end goal. Instead of allowing your young adult child to, "hook up" or "go out" alone with a person of the opposite sex, you as their parents should invite the person they are interested in over to spend time with the whole family, including siblings. Both sets of parents should meet and agree upon times and places that the families can interact together. This is a safe place where the two young adults can be themselves in the safety of family and observe how the other behaves toward their father, mother, brothers and sisters. What better way to gain insight into what kind of husband or wife they would make. The time that the couple spends should involve the families, not be isolated from them. This provides safety and protection to both parties and eliminates the pressure of crossing physical boundaries.

This approach honors God and respects both the young woman and the young man.

The alternative brings devastating results and consequences that we are all living with in family after family, generation after generation. (Psalm 78:4-8)

Abiding in the TRUTH

2011-07-18T19:26:00.003-05:00

John 8:31, says, “If you abide in My word you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” What does it mean to abide, and what are these disciples to abide in? To abide is to accept, remain, rest, continue in and conform to. Abide in what? His word, the Bible. Those who abide in His word are His disciples, they will know the truth, and that truth will set them free! If you are not abiding in His word, you are not one of His disciples. (John 5:38-89) It has always been the churches calling to proclaim the truth, as revealed to us in the word of God. At all times, in every country, under any form of government, in every culture the truth remains the truth. (John 17:17), (2Timothy 4:1-7) (2John 8-11)

The Truth is inextricably bound to God! Truth is unchanging, because the character and nature of God is unchanging. The fundamental starting point of all truth is that there is One True God.

The shift in the American culture has changed dramatically in the past two decades. Today the Postmodern understanding of truth has lead many to see truth as an ever changing theory that is redefined in each generation.

So the question is still asked today, just as it was so long ago by Pontus Pilot, (John 18:37-38)

What is truth?

The answer - Truth is that reality which is consistent with the mind, will, character and glory of God. Ultimately, truth, is the self-expression of God. So the word of God doesn't just contain some truth, it is truth, because it is the expression of the author, God Himself, His word is an expression of Himself.

May the faithful church stand in defense of God's word in a culture that has turned away from truth to myths and opinions of men.

Why separate everyone by age?

2011-04-12T20:16:00.006-05:00

When I ask this questions I usually get one of two responses. Why not? or Well, that's how we have always done it. I'd like to answer the "Why not?" question first, then deal with the "That's how we've always done it." phrase.

Why not? The answer to this question has become painfully obvious to anyone who looks at the results youth groups and children's ministries are producing. Instead of seeing our young people maturing in godliness, masculinity, femininity and responsibility, we see them remaining in a state of immature adolescence until they are in their mid, to late twenties. Over 80% of those who start their first year of college are leaving the church and are not returning. This is the tragic result of age segregated ministries that promote youth culture instead of biblical discipleship. The Scriptures clearly teach us in 2 Timothy 2 and Titus 2, that the older more mature Christian is to pass along, by example and through teaching, what he has learned with the younger less mature believers. The best way this can happen is to have all ages learning, worshipping, praying and serving together, not by breaking them up and putting them in groups of their peers where they are pressured to fit in, conform, impress and date one another.

"That's the way we've always done it." This, answer involves little thought. It is what a person says that really doesn't care to give the subject any serious consideration. Anyone who wants an answer to the age segregation questions needs to consider; Why has the church chosen to emulate the public school model for education? This model promotes conformity, stifles creativity, and limits the students ability to think for him or herself. Is this what we want for our children spiritually? Do we want them to just "accept Jesus" because that's what all their friends are doing? No, but that's what we are setting them up for through children's and youth programs.

God has given parent's the responsibility to raise, educate, disciple and discipline their children, and a family integrated model of church supports this mandate by God.

Update on Afghan Christian death sentence

2011-03-01T18:37:00.003-06:00

Thanks to the prayers of many, many Christians God has moved the heart of the Afghan president to release Musa, the muslim who, after receiving a bible, accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior then gave the bible to his cousin, who turned him in to government officials who promptly arrested him and sentenced him to death. Musa said after released, "They wanted me to deny my faith in Jesus, but I was prepared to die before I would do that."
Amen, may the glory go to God.

Afghanistan President Hamid Karai to execute Christian

2011-02-07T18:38:00.003-06:00

46yr old Musa, an Afghan citizen, converted to Christianity after contact with the Red Cross organization and receiving a New Testament. He was soon after arrested and sentenced to be executed for converting to Christianity. Afghan officials have been unapologetic. "The sentence for a convert is death and there is no exception," said Jamal Khan, chief of staff at the Ministry of Justice. "They must be sentenced to death to serve as a lesson for others." Apostasy is a capital crime in Afghanistan, where the constitution is based on Shariah, or Islamic law.

This is outrageous! Our government supports the Karai administration, sending them millions of our taxpayer dollars, as well as, protecting his administration with our troops, many of whom are Christians, and yet he sanctions the execution of Christian converts in his country! This madness must stop. As a Christian and American citizen I cannot sit idol while my tax dollars support an regime that executes Christians. Can you?

Do something, contact President Obama at www.whitehouse.gov click on the contact us button and write him concerning this matter immediately.

Mr. Musa is scheduled to be executed on Thursday February 3rd.

Dating vs Courtship

2011-01-25T19:48:00.006-06:00

This approach honors God and respects both the young woman and the young man.

The alternative brings devastating results and consequences that we are all living with in family after family, generation after generation. (Psalm 78:4-8)

A Biblical Worldview Under Construction

2011-01-02T17:51:00.004-06:00

Why do you believe what you believe?
All of the information you receive, every piece of data, everything you watch, read, hear and talk about everyday is filtered through your worldview. Your worldview is your set of beliefs, a framework by which your belief system is based. What you believe about the creation of the universe, the origins of life, education, history, marriage and family, politics, religion and numerous other subjects are all based on your worldview.
If you are like most people, your worldview has been established from a number of sources through out your life. Your parents, peers, school teachers, television shows, movies, radio, magazines the Internet, and blogs like this one, have all contributed to your worldview.
For the Christian however, there need be only one source for our worldview, the Bible.
This is the first in a series of blogs that will help Christians understand how their worldview has been tainted by worldly philosophies, traditions and opinions based on the principles of this world rather than of Christ and biblical truth. (Colossians 2:8) Once a person has been born again the Bible says we are a new creation, old things have passed away, and all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) This includes how we think Romans 12:2 tells us, "Be not conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
This takes work, effort, study, prayer and a desire to have a biblical worldview so that you begin to change the way you think, what you love and how you can live in a way that brings glory to God, rather than continuing to emulate the culture around you.
A brief example; Today most Christians don't have a problem with wives working outside of the home pursing a career. It is so common in the church that it is assumed that it is a biblical concept, but its not. Often people will quote Proverbs 31 where the text identifies the excellent wife as one who works hard at home and in the marketplace. This is true, she does go into the marketplace, but the difference is she goes on her husbands behalf. She is under his authority and leadership not another mans. Today, millions of christian men send their wives into the marketplace to submit to another man, to work on his behalf, to make him a profit, to benefit his family. A biblical worldview would see that the wife's role is to submit to her husband, not to another man. Why are so many Christian marriages in trouble, ending in divorce due to adultery, this is a contributing factor, because too many Christians do not have a biblical worldview in this area of their lives.
Next week we will look at another area where Christians have integrated a secular worldview rather than a biblical worldview in their lives.

Gazing, Going, Glorifying

2010-12-19T22:22:00.002-06:00

On that first Christmas a group of Shepherds were tending their flocks and an angel appeared to them proclaiming the birth of the Savior! As they Gazed at the sight, the angels told them to Go to Bethlehem where they would find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger, so they went, and when they arrived they Glorified Him and worshipped Him.
Months later, the Magi, who were seeking a sign of the Saviors birth, Gazed into the night sky and saw a star, which inspired them to Go and seek out the Savior. When they arrived they found the child and Glorified Him by bringing gifts and worshipping Him.
Years later a group of disciples of John the Baptist would hear him say, Behold, the Lamb of God! As they Gazed at Jesus they were compelled to Go and follow Him and spent the rest of their lives Glorifying Him through their obedience and worship of Him.
This Christmas I hope you too will spend time Gazing at the Savior, Going to Him in prayer and Bible study, and Glorifying Him through worship and telling others about Him.

He is coming again soon!

2010-08-28T19:57:00.005-05:00

"You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect!"

Matthew 24:44

Jesus said, "I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also."

John 14:3

It is likely you have heard this question referred to or perhaps asked to you often over the course of your life; Are you ready for the second coming of Jesus?

There are only two possible answers to that question, Yes or No. Yes, for those who have repented of their sin and believed Jesus' death on the cross atoned for their personal sins. No, for those people who have rejected the offer of salvation and have decided to live their lives for themselves.

Jesus is coming soon, Acts 1:11 says, "This same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

Those who believe should live a life that reflects that belief, regularly worshipping God, obeying His word, praying for others, serving the needy, loving our neighbors, preaching the Gospel, and being led by the Spirit and not the flesh.

Does this describe your life? If not, examine what you truly believe.

The time is short....

Jesus is coming again soon!

You call yourself a Christian, really?

2010-08-16T22:26:00.003-05:00

How is it that so many people call themselves a Christian, and yet, NEVER worship God, NEVER share their faith in Jesus, NEVER repent of their sins, NEVER lift up a prayers of adoration or thanksgiving, NEVER sing praises to God, NEVER read God's word, NEVER give of their finances toward ministry, NEVER seek to know God more, NEVER give Him glory!

If you are a person that claims to be a Christian and never do any of the things listed above, you are only fooling yourself. You are no Christian, you don't get to define what a Christian is, only God does, and He does so in His word the Bible. Here are several verses that define the character traits of a follower of Jesus Christ. Psalm 96:9 worship Him; Acts 1:8 witness about Him; Matthew 4:17 repent to Him; Psalm 96:4 praise Him; Psalm 119:97 read His word; Acts 20:35 give to Him; John 10:14 know Him; 1 Corinthians 10:31 glorify Him.

These are only a few marks of a true Christian, those who make the claim and live a life of self-centered, self-destructive, sinful behavior are blind, foolish and are trusting in themselves rather than God to save them. If that is you, it is time to take a good look at your life, recognize your sin has separated you from God, realize His judgement is coming on you, repent of your sin, trust in Jesus alone to save you, ask Him to save you from His wrath and He will.

May you seek Him while there is still time. This message may seem harsh, however it is given in love and with the realization that it is necessary for those who are fooling themselves about their salvation. If that is you, please read the verses above and seek to know the truth.

The Foundations Undone

2010-08-09T22:15:00.006-05:00

As the weight of sin becomes too heavy for the eroding foundation to hold, one by one we see the moral pillars erected by our forefathers fall. In our government, activist judges overturn the will of the people regarding same sex marriage, in our schools godless curriculum is forced on our youth, in our work place (Home Depot) Christians are terminated for wearing a pin that says, "In God We Trust", in our organizations (YMCA) Christian principles are replaced with lessons on tolorance for gays and lesbians, and in our homes we allow the internet and television to fill our minds with perversions. Unless there is a spiritual awakening in America we will live in a much different country in coming years. Pastor, call your people to repentance and then take them into the streets with the Gospel and prepare your congregation for persecution. Father, pray with your family, read the Bible together and prepare them to be singled out and called intolorant. Christian, prepare your heart, repent, seek God and ready yourself for difficult days are ahead. Stand on the Word of God and be like Jeremiah who proclaimed the coming hand of God on a land that had embraced sin of every imaginable kind.

Jeremiah 2:17 says, "Have you not brought this upon yourself by forsaking the Lord you God?"

Family Integrated Church

2010-07-19T22:20:00.003-05:00

I have been asked, "Skip what is a Family Integrated Church?"

The answer, simply put, is a church that is intentional about keeping families together. Families are separated enough throughout the week between school and work, so instead of following the same model at church, we intentionally keep families together for worship, Bible study, prayer and ministry. We believe families that worship, grow, pray and serve together, stay together. (Psalm 78:1-8)

At Grace & Truth Family Baptist Church, our desire is to see parents leading their children to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We believe this responsibility lay with the parents not the "professional clergy". The same is true for education, we believe that parents have a biblical mandate (Proverbs 1:8) to be the primary educators of their children, not the government. It is our desire to help parents understand these responsibilities and begin taking steps toward fulfilling their roles as parents in their children's lives.

Church planting is difficult work

2010-05-20T22:10:00.005-05:00

I've always been a bit of a dreamer, if you ask my wife Tammy she would say, "A bit, you mean a huge dreamer!" God has given me an entrepreneurial spirit, I like to start new things, when it is time to maintain and get into a routine I grow weary and impatient. I have the ability to see the big picture, unfortunately the big picture is often several years and a lot of work down the road. Much like when we read about the early church in the book of Acts, we often skim over all the work Paul, Barnabas, Apollos and the other disciples did and assume that the church was established after only a few brief missionary journeys. Not so, Paul spent years of his life teaching and preaching the truth to the Jews and Gentiles all over Asia, as did many of the other Apostles. (Acts 19:9-10)

Today, as we endeavor to plant a church in Plant City, FL, I feel the excitement of the dream God has given us, with the reality of the work it will take to accomplish the task. It is not for those who seek instant gratification, but rather the work is daily and difficult. May God bless our efforts and establish His church here, in His time.

Five benefits of daily Bible reading

2010-04-20T22:05:00.004-05:00

Acts 17:10-15 finds the Apostle Paul in a small town called Berea. There he finds a group of faithful men who listened to what he had to say, then examined the Scriptures daily to see if what he was saying lined up with God's word. Ever since, the idea of being a good Berean has implied, being a person who searched the Scriptures daily. There are many benefits of daily Bible reading, here is a brief few.

1. INSIGHT - Webster's dictionary defines insight as - having the capacity to discern the true nature of a thing. The Bible give us the capacity to discern the true nature of God. In it's pages we can discover what God is like, His nature, character and attributes. It is important to discover who He is not just what He has done.

2. PERSPECTIVE - Webster's defines perspective as - The relationship of different aspects of a subject to eachother. The Bible helps us to see how different aspects of our lives relate to one another. For example, the loss of a job may be difficult and make us worry about the future. The Bible however, gives us perspective on the situation, it helps us to realize that God is sovereign, He loves us, and wants what is best for us, therefore our perspective on the situation changes. We can now have peace in a difficult situation because we know we can trust God to provide for us in our time of need.

3. WISDOM - Webster's defines wisdom as - Understanding of what is true, right and lasting. The Bible helps us understand what is true about God and ourselves, what the right decision is when we are faced with many choices, and to know what is most valuable and lasting in life, mainly our relationship with God (Proverbs 9:10) says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

4. CONVICTION - Webster's defines conviction as - to bring attention to an unlawful act, or to hold a strong and fixed belief. God's word does both, it makes us aware of our unlawful, sinful acts and compels us to repent, and also establishes in us a fixed set of beliefs that govern our lives in obedience to God.

5. JOY - Webster's dictionary defines joy as - A source or object of pleasure or satisfaction. The Word of God leads us to the ultimate source of pleasure and satisfaction, which is God. Nothing else in this world can bring the joy that can be found in knowing God the Creator. Mankind is far to easily satisfied with the temporary pleasure of drugs, alcohol, sex or fame. The only true lasting joy is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The chief end of man is to glorify God, by enjoying Him forever.

God still moves

2010-03-15T22:58:00.005-05:00

Time for a new post,

We have been truly blessed with the people God is bringing to worship with us at Grace and Truth Family Baptist Church. We have started a ministry to the homeless in downtown Plant City. I can't help but think this is one of the reasons God placed us right in historic downtown. A park is outside of our front door where several of the homeless gather in the evenings after the businesses have closed for the day. This has allowed us to minister to several men on a regular basis and recently, we have seen one man come to saving faith in Christ. He has remained faithful to the Lord and joins us for every worship service. He also serves serves in our Saturday Night Brew outreach ministry by washing dishes and serving Coffee.

God is now moving us to yet another location in downtown, one block from the Coffee Shop we are moving to a bigger building that will hold about 80-100 people. It is an answer to prayer. God still moves on behalf of His glory and His people. We have retained the Coffee Shop for our Saturday Night Brew outreach ministry but Sunday mornings we will meet at: 301 South Collins Street. Plant City, FL

One busy year!

2009-12-12T22:24:00.002-06:00

It is amazing how fast a year goes by! Since this time last year I have graduated with my Master's degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, I moved my family back to Florida from Texas, moved into an amazing old home, had a new baby boy Kaden and started a new church with the help of some dear friends. Can't wait to see what God has in store for us in the new year, one thing I do know is that He always wants what is for our good and His glory, so no matter what you may be facing, trust in Him. I hope you have a Merry Christmas, remembering our Savior, His sacrifice and our responsibility.

Blessings to all,

Skip

2009-11-13T16:10:00.002-06:00

WHAT IS FAMILY-INTEGRATED CHURCH?

New church meets in former coffee shop in downtown Plant City

(This post is taken from a recent Magazine article about our church)

Plant City has a new church! Pastors Skip Athey

and Ronnie Oxner, founders of Grace & Truth

Family Baptist Church, began several months ago

with a vision God gave them that has grown from

their biblical convictions and the crisis of the family

in our culture. GTFBC exists for the glory of God,

the proclamation of

His word, to reach

the lost with the

message of hope

and to exemplify

the biblical

principles of the

family.

“We are different

from many other

churches in that

we do not have

age segregated

ministries, instead we are focused on building

strong faithful families as a testimony to the world

that God’s plan for the family works,” said Athey.

Their passion is to equip men to be the spiritual

leaders in their homes, to encourage women to

fulﬁll their biblical roles and to teach parents to

disciple their children in God’s word at home. When

you visit this church you will notice something

different from the start. Children, that’s right,

children are welcome in the worship services. The

church is located at 101 E. Arden Mays Blvd. in

downtown Plant City, right

behind the Whistle Stop

Café.

The leaders at Grace &

Truth Family Baptist Church

want to create a simplistic

model of church based on

the New Testament church,

where worshipping God,

instruction in God’s Word,

fellowship with one another,

compassionate giving and

sacriﬁcial service to others,

all are natural outcomes of a

true, loving relationship with Jesus Christ.

SATURDAY NIGHT BREW is a time for

people to stop by, get a free cup of coffee, listen

to some good music and here a thought provoking

discussion on a variety of topics. It is a place where

those who may feel uncomfortable in a traditional

church setting can come and get some answers

to some of life’s most important questions. We

encourage you to stop by and welcome this new

church to our community.

“We are different from many other

churches in that we do not have

age segregated ministries, instead

we are focused on building strong

faithful families as a testimony to

the world that God’s plan for the

family works,”

www.gtfbc.com

Sunday Service:

Worship Service 11:00 am

Fellowship meal following

Bible Study 2:00 pm

“Saturday Night Brew”

6 pm –8 pm

2nd & 4th Saturdays

live music,

topical discussions

Dating vs. Courtship

2009-09-17T22:24:00.004-05:00

This is not a new social trend. In Greek and Roman civilizations, the most modern of their day, this practice was rampant. As a Christian I am not surprised at the conduct of the Pagan, non-believing world. They do not have the capacity to behave any differently. They are merely following their basic instinct to satisfy self at all costs. They are eager to use another to temporarily gratify themselves by using the other person like a man samples the food in a buffet line, then discards what he doesn't find appealing and goes back for what really satisfies him. This is the modern practice of dating, or hooking up, BUT it should not be so in the Church!

Christian parents do not fall into the trap of believing that two young people can be alone together on a regular basis and not become emotionally and sexually involved. Parents, not believe the lie that your young adult child needs his or her independence without accountability. This is never a good thing, no where in Scripture does God encourage young adults to seek independence or privacy from their parents until they are married. As a parent it is my responsibility to make sure my young adult child does not give him or herself away to just anyone who shows interest. We have all heard it, (and perhaps have said it ourselves), "I just love, so and so...) ( I just can't live without, so and so...) There is an initial emotional reaction to receiving attention from the opposite sex, this makes a person "feel good" about themselves, and they in turn give the other person the same feelings about themselves. This continues for a time until the "fun and newness" wares off. In our recreation and entertainment driven culture this does not take long, and someone else comes along and produces these same feelings all over again. This leads to break-up after break-up, which is ultimately preparing the two young adults for a series of divorces and re-marriages throughout their lives. WE have ALL seen this played out time and time again, and yet, we continue to allow this practice in our own children even in the Church, WHY?

This approach honors God and respects both the young woman and the young man.

The alternative brings devastating results and consequences that we are all living with in family after family, after family, after family.....

God's Hand in History

2009-09-02T22:05:00.004-05:00

It has been said, “If we don’t learn from history, we are bound to repeat it’s mistakes.”

History is important, it tells us where we have come from, how we got here and gives us indications as to where we are going as an individual, family, church or nation. It helps us gain perspective and understand that we are not alone, our families, our churches, and our nation are products of God's work in the lives of those who came before us, who in turn, looked to others before them and sought to learn from their mistakes and yet we forget so quickly.

Throughout the OT Scripture we find the admonition to; Remember... (Deut. 8:18-19, 1 Chron. 16:12, Eccles. 21:1)

The same holds true for us today. (Luke 22:19, 1 Cor. 11:24)

History is all about God’s hand of providence working in, through and even against man, to bring glory to His great Name. Like the Jews in Egypt, our babies, (unborn) are being murdered, and we do nothing to defend them, it has become an acceptable part of our culture because a generation has now grown up with it. In the same way we are slowly accepting Socialism over our Republic, as this new President and Congress create laws to limit our freedoms every day. Like the Jews in Egypt who's freedom was taken away under the new Pharaoh. (Exodus 1:8-10) Over time when people become dependent on government they will slowly give up their freedom in exchange for handouts and security. Even after being freed from their affliction, the Jews longed to go back to known horrors in Egypt, rather than face the unknowns of faith in God and personal responsibility. Our Founding Fathers warned us that this day would come if we allowed government to intrude into every aspect of our lives. People who are dependent on government will be controlled by it. Today there are thousands of government agencies that intrude into our lives and the number continues to grow. Christians be aware, difficult days are coming, it is our duty to remain loyal to our Savior and His cause, the Gospel message, not get swept up in our own. Pray for Revival in America!

Grace & Truth Family Baptist Church

2009-08-22T20:35:00.004-05:00

We are a church that wants to bring glory to God in all we do. We are a church that is intentional about supporting the family unit, because we believe a biblically functioning family is the greatest testimony to God's plan of redemption we have. It is a picture of Christ's relationship to His church. As a man leads his home spiritually, providing for his family, caring for and nurturing his wife and children and as the wife respects her husband, cares for the home and raises the children, the family is displaying to the world God's plan for marriage, family and the home.

We encourage parents to keep children with them during the worship service so that they can watch and learn what it means to worship God at church, which is reenforced when they worship together as a family at home. Too often evangelical churches do just the opposite. As soon as the family walks through the doors of the church they are segregated by age into various areas of the church.

Our approach is to bring families together, the family is already separated enough through the week. Often children are in school all day, both parents are working, then when everyone gets home they are running to soccer, dance or some other activity.

We want to create a simplistic model of church based on the New Testament church where worshipping God, instruction in God's word, fellowship with one another, compassionate giving and sacrificial service to others, all are natural outcomes of a true, loving relationship with Jesus Christ.

Therefore, we don't try to orchestrate, design or manufacture programs, instead we are always looking to meet the needs of others, and if we are doing that, we find there is plenty of opportunities to serve.

The primary goal of us as elders is to encourage men, as fathers and husbands, to order their families according to the word of God. To encourage family worship times during the week at home where the father gathers his family, reads a passage of scripture, prays with his family and maybe leads them in a song, so that he, not the “professional minister” is seen by his wife and children as the spiritual leader of the home.

When families spend time worshipping together at home, it is very natural for them to worship corporately on Sunday.

Kaden comes early!

2009-08-11T21:08:00.003-05:00

Our family was blessed on Friday August 7th with, Kaden Palmer Athey, 7lbs 1 ounce and 18 1/2 inches long. He was almost four weeks early, surprise!, but he is healthy and doing well. Tammy is doing really good and we are all getting acquainted with our new family member. We realize what a great responsibility God has given us in raising Kaden and our other two boys.

Psalm 78:4 says, "...tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might and the wonders that He has done."

That's what we intend to do, to tell our children the wonderful things God has done and teach them what God has said in His word, the Bible.

At least this, we as parents have power over, we may not be able to control what happens in our government, what is taught in the public schools or what war our nations fights, but we do control what happens in our own homes, and as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.

Plato and You

2009-07-29T22:50:00.003-05:00

Most people don't realize the effect philosophers such as Plato and Socrates have on there lives.

In Plato's work, The Republic, he proposes that nations dispense with the traditional model of family for a more socialistic model where the state would educate the children, free women from their "domestic bondage" as caretakers of the home, lift restrictions on divorce and place infants in custodial care of state financed institutions, thus placing individuals rights as priority over the parent's authority.

This is America! Plato's vision of a Republic has come to fruition, but is this how the Bible instructs Christians to order their homes? Most Christians do not ever question the way they live their lives or why they do it. Deuteronomy 6:6-8, Psalm 78:4-8, Ephesians 5:22-33, this is how God's people are to order their homes and families, not according to the traditions of men.

Community outreach

2009-07-18T19:20:00.003-05:00

From the very beginning we knew we wanted a church that would reach out to the community and not be a church that would expect people to come to us. We want to live, work and socialize with those we are trying to reach for Christ. This week alone we have attended a Plant City Chamber of Commerce function, where we met several people that are now interested in the church, Tammy and I also hosted another family for dinner, and we set up a booth at the Plant City Car Show, where again, we met several people God brought to us with an interest in the church. God's word is powerful and His Spirit is clearly at work in Plant City. I am greatful that the Kirks, Oxners and Spano's share my desire to meet new people and share with them the message of the cross.

Summer Camp 09

2009-06-28T22:08:00.006-05:00

Kameron played his guitar and Karson enjoyed the wave pool.

I was invited to be the Summer Camp Pastor for the Children's Ministry at Bell Shoals Baptist Church this year so last week Tammy, the boys and I set off to Camp Kulaqua with 250 kids. We had a great time with them as we shared God's word twice daily and enjoyed canoeing, archery, the zoo, swimming and being blobbed in the spring. Thanks to the Children's director Janie Guffey and all the hard working camp counselors that helped make it a success, you were a blessing.

Limited Expectations

2009-06-28T21:35:00.003-05:00

In Acts 3:1-10 Peter and John are making their way to the Temple for prayer when they see a man, crippled from birth, begging at the Beautiful Gate an entryway to the Temple courtyard. This man was seeking alms, or money, from those who were going to worship. He was expecting to get what he had always received, which was a handout of some money or food, but that's not at all what he received from Peter and John. They told him, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I do have I give to you in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, rise up and walk!
This man, like so many people today, had a very limited view of what God would do for him, his expectations were to get enough money to provide for his needs for the day but what he got was a new life. What do you expect from God? Are your expectations limited to being healthy and getting the bills paid, or do you expect Him to use you everyday for His glory, so that others might see His good works and glorify Him. The result of this crippled man walking was that he went into the Temple praising God and testifying about God's work in His life. God wants the same from you, don't give luck the credit when God does something wonderful in your life, give God all the credit and watch as others marvel at His work in your life and then desire to hear more about what God is doing in and through you.

One source of absolute truth

2009-06-08T22:08:00.003-05:00

This evening Kenny, Ronnie and I had the opportunity to witness to some Scientologists. We started the conversation by telling them we were in town to plant a new Baptist church, then proceeded to ask them questions about what they believed. It was interesting that they could not tell us the source of what they believed. They tried to explain that L. Ron Hubbard gathered information from a variety of sources and then improved upon the information he gathered. If he had to improve on it then it was flawed to begin with, and since he is flawed himself, no matter what "improvements" he thinks he made, it is also flawed.
There is only one source of absolute truth and that is the Word of God, the Bible, it was written by men inspired by the Holy Spirit and is perfect without flaw. (2 Timothy 3:16)
We thank God for the opportunity to share the truth with the Scientologists and pray God would reveal the truth to them and drawl them to Himself. Pray for Keith and Jessie.

The biblical account of history, biology, anthropology and astronomy

2009-05-26T20:22:00.003-05:00

For over two hundred years the Christian community has laid down and played dead in the areas of history, biology, anthropology, geology, astronomy and the other sciences. In Europe, the once center for missions, education and church planting for the world, less that 8% of the population professes faith in Christ. So called "Higher Education" began to corrupted the minds of young Christians as their parents deemed it more important for their children to get a college degree than to protect them from the secular humanist philosophies being taught in those institutions. The church gave these institutions an open door to the minds of their flocks, as over the decades, they were taught that the Bible was merely a good moral book full of fables and anecdotes, but not a book of true history, biology, anthropology, geology, astronomy or science.
The Bible however, has much to say on these important areas of science, it's history is true and documented better than any other book in all antiquity, it's biology is true teaching on the origins of all things living as being created by God, refuting the lie of evolution. It's anthropology is true, proclaiming the origins of man as being from the Creator God who breathed the breath of life into him. It's geology is accurate, explaining why billions of dead things are found all over the earth laying under rock layers compressed by water, which occurred during the great flood. It's astronomy is true, explaining that God created the heavens and the earth, and that the earth was in fact created before the sun, dismissing the lie of the "Big Bang" theory. And so it goes, God's word is true and it is the Christian's duty to uphold it, defend it and proclaim it till Christ comes again for His church. We need not give any ground to those who claim to be wise, for without Christ, they are but fools, their understanding is darkened and they believe a lie.
Take the truth boldly to the masses proclaim freedom in Christ to the captives of sin!

Having church at 917 Roux St. Plant City

2009-05-20T11:00:00.003-05:00

Praise God for His faithfulness and grace!
May has been a busy month for us, we moved into our new house, we celebrated Karson's sixth birthday with a pirate theme, Ronnie and Christy did a great job putting together a treasure hunt, and the kids had a blast building a pirate ship out of all the moving boxes on the back porch. Tammy also had a birthday, she turned thirty-something. We also celebrated our first Sunday worship service in our new home. We love having people over and we thank God for bringing each person to worship with us.

"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens." Psalm 8:1

Resurrection Power!

2009-04-11T21:11:00.003-05:00

Anyone that has lost someone that they loved, respected and depended on knows that you are left with feelings of sorrow, fear, heartbreak and questions about the future. The disciples were no different. They had forsaken everything to follow Jesus and they had just witnessed Him being falsely accused, beaten and put to death on a cross. These men depended on Him like they had no other, and now, He was gone. Out of fear John 20:19 says, "they locked themselves in a room for fear of the Jews." Then came news of the Resurrection, and fear turned to joy as word spread about the empty tomb. Christ's humiliation in His death, resulted in His exaltation to life! Jesus was among them again, hope was restored and faith was firmly anchored in their souls!
The book of Acts opens with the Resurrection as the main theme of the early church. Acts 2:31, 3:26 and 4:10 all proclaim that Jesus was raised from the dead. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead will raise up every believer to new life in Him. Jesus spent 40 more days with His disciples before His ascension to heaven and in those 40 days His message was clear; that the Holy Spirit would come and empower believers to be His witnesses in the world. At the ascension Acts 1:11 says, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven." You see, in over 2000 years Jesus hasn't changed, that same Jesus that walked by the Sea of Galilee, that same Jesus that spoke to the disciples, that hung on the cross and ascended into heaven, that same Jesus is coming again in the same way He left, and He will be looking to see who has been obedient to the task He left.
May this Easter renew the call to the church to be about doing His will, to be His witnesses in the world.

The battle over the inerrancy of Scripture

2009-03-26T19:42:00.004-05:00

The battle over the word of God has raged on for centuries and questions of who will control its interpretation, who can teach it and who can preach it, have ended with men being imprisoned, tortured and even put to death. Men like Martin Luther and William Tyndale risked everything to get the word of God into the hands of the laity. How can we know the Bible is the word of God? What does the Bible claim of itself?

The Bible strongly affirms it is the word of God. Deuteronomy 18:18-20, Jeremiah 1:9, Ezekiel 2:7 tell us that the words the prophets spoke were the very words of God.
In the New Testament we read in 1 Peter 1:19-20 and 2 Timothy 3:16 that all of the words of Scripture are breathed out by God.

All the words of Scripture are the very words of God. The Bible is God's thoughts expressed in human language so that we might know who He is, who we are, and what He requires of us.

We have unhindered access to the Bible in our country, yet too often we take it for granted, even neglect it. Those who have gone before us sacrificed greatly that we might have this access to the word of God. Commit today to take time to read it everyday, by yourself, and with your family and you will discover that God will speak to you, bring conviction of your sin and grow your faith for your good and for His glory.

God is building His Church, one family at a time.

2009-03-08T22:52:00.004-05:00

We are so excited to have the Oxner family join us in Plant City, FL to begin work on planting a new church here. We have known them for several years and are happy the Lord has called them to help with the new church. The Lord has shown us His faithfulness once again by providing them with a home to live in at no cost to them! God's people have shown us that His family truly is one in Christ by living out Romans 12:13, "Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." To God be the glory!

Courtship vs. Dating

2009-01-28T17:14:00.003-06:00

We live in a very self-centered, individualistic and entertainment focused culture. The common practice of dating feeds these vices and promotes sinful attitudes of lust, envy and covetousness in our young adults. It is our responsibility as parents to teach our children to resist these attitudes and be obedient to God's call to remain pure until marriage. The practice of courtship intentionally seeks to honor God, respect the other person and provides protection for our young men and women by involving the parents in the process of finding a mate.
Dating on the other hand, seeks nothing higher than to use another person to feel good about self, to be entertained by that person, and to "hook up" and to seek the satisfaction of the flesh. The emotional harm that dating brings is just as significant as the physical. Dating promotes what Joshua Harris calls, "pre-marital divorce", which is brought about by the trauma of break-up after break-up, which results in the hardness of the heart and the loss of a desire for lifelong commitment. Often young people try to manipulate their parents by saying, "Don't you trust me?" the answer is found in (Proverbs 28:26) "He who trusts his heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered." Do we really believe that the best way our young people are going to find the person they are going to spend the rest of their lives with is best determined by allowing them to go off by themselves to a movie (where there is no communication), to a party, or by getting alone by themselves? This is why our divorce rate is so high in our country, there is little or know thought put into the pre-marital process. Courtship has its critics, but I will take this method over the alternative of dating any day.

From the parent of a sixteen year old,
Skip Athey

The Duties of Parents

2009-01-20T22:38:00.002-06:00

Parenting, who knew it would be so hard! Yet, if done according to the principles found in the Scriptures, I know of nothing that brings greater reward. As I write this entry, my son sits playing his guitar and singing, "Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and renew a right spirit within me" a great reward after 16 years of parenting God's way. Psalm 78:5-7 says, "He commanded our fathers to make known to their children that the generation to come might know, who should arise and declare them to their children, that they might set their hope in God, and keep His commandments." Our children are a matchless gift from God, nothing man can devise compares to this gift, this responsibility, this greatest of stewardships. We must give our children the best, yes I mean to spoil my children, not in material possessions, but in the eternal treasures. It is my duty as a parent. Ephesians 6:4 says, "Fathers, bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." It must be intentional to train up our children in the way they should go, it will not happen accidentally, if left to themselves, they would surly self destruct. This is why God commanded we do it, Proverbs 22:6, it is our solemn duty, our sacred trust.

God we ask you to help us fulfill our duties as parents.
Skip

A growing family...

2009-01-12T17:15:00.002-06:00

Well, there is nothing like being homeless, jobless and getting the news your wife is expecting!
Wow, God sure has a way of getting your attention and keeping your focus on whats important. Our trip to Florida to start a new church has been one step of faith after another, but God is so good to provide for our every need. Romans 4:18 says, "In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, 'So shall your offspring be.'
God doesn't want us to look at our circumstances, if we did, we would never attempt anything great for God. Instead, we must remain obedient to His word and follow the passions He gives us for His glory and His kingdom. Too often, men are frozen by the fear of the unknown, they allow this fear to control their actions rather than being led by the Spirit of God and his word. The truth is powerful, it instills faith in the heart and gives us a solid foundation to stand on. May we all pursue the truth and live it out, even when it seems impossible from man's perspective, for with God, all things are possible.

Keep us in your prayers,
Skip

Vision for a new church

2009-01-09T19:52:00.003-06:00

I desire a church that exists for the glory of God, not man. A church with a passion to proclaim the truths of God's word, rather than psychology or current events. A church that is led by a plurality of godly elders that practice hospitality and a church that is served by humble deacons. A church that emphasizes biblical manhood and womanhood and promotes courtship rather than the worldly model of dating. A church that promotes family integration in every gathering and Christian education for their children, working to instill in them a biblical worldview. A church that believes in practicing the biblical principles of discipline, accountability and good stewardship. A church that practices benevolence to orphans, widows and the needy in the community. A church that has a passion to raise up men to lead in personal evangelism and world missions. A church that is not content to stay but one that is committed to go and plant churches nationally and internationally. This is the church God has called me and a handful of other families to build.
We believe in...
The Reformation of the Church
We seek to reform the way we "Do Church" by supporting the family as a unit by encouraging families to worship, grow and serve together, not separating them into groups divided up by age.
The Restoration of the Family
We seek to restore the biblical model of family by equipping fathers to build strong healthy families, which will make strong healthy churches, and strong healthy churches will make strong healthy communities.
The Responsibility of the Father
We believe it is the father's responsibility to lead their families spiritually through regular times of family worship, gathering around God's word for a time of reading, singing and praying together as a family.

This is the church God is calling us to begin and you are welcome to join us.

Skip Athey

Meeting like-minded families

2009-01-01T17:57:00.004-06:00

Happy New Year, our God is faithful, His word is true, and His Spirit is at work in the task of planting a new church here in Central Florida.

I have spent the last several days looking for a job and a home for our family to rent.

We have had the pleasure of meeting with several families who are interested in a Family Integrated Church. God continues to put people in our path that are like-minded and have a desire to be a part of a church that teaches and encourages men to lead their families spiritually by participating in regular times of family worship in their homes. As we seek a core group of believers to help us start the church, we are amazed at how God is orchestrating all of the events of our days towards this goal.

I am reminded of the book of Acts, how Paul and his compainions went from city to city preaching and teaching God's word, and how God saved some in each city and planted churches there.

We covet your prayers as we begin this work through the new year. We know 2009 is going to be a year full of hardships and struggles, but also full of great victories, joys and triumphs, may God get the glory for it all!

In His service,

Skip

Merry Christmas

2008-12-26T10:49:00.002-06:00

We have arrived in Florida and are settling in. We are still celebrating Christmas, visiting family and friends that we haven't seen in a couple of years. We are blessed to have so much support and encouragement here.
Our focus will soon turn to our mission of planting a new Family Integrated Church in the city of Wesley Chapel. We can't wait to get started.

Many blessings in the new year,
Skip Athey

Landscaper turns Church Planter

2008-11-17T17:06:00.004-06:00

I spent many years mowing grass, laying sod and planting trees and shrubs. Then God called me to serve Him full time, so I sold my business and home, packed up the family and moved to Fort Worth, TX to get my Master's degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. I graduate in less than four weeks. In the process I have learned much about Theology and Methodology, I have been convinced that God is calling me now to return to be a landscaper in a since. No, not by planting trees and shrubs, but by changing the landscape in a different way, by planting a new church! You may ask, "Do we really need another church?" I know, there seems to be one on every corner, but the truth is that there are 337,270,000 people in America, and not nearly enough churches to reach them all with the Gospel. Tammy and I have spent the past several months being interviewed and assessed by the North American Mission Board, to be Church Planters. We will know if we have been approved in a few weeks. It is an exciting, yet uneasy time for us as our future is unknown. However, we know God is the One who has given us this opportunity, so we will continue to walk through the doors He is opening.
The church God is calling my family and I to start will be a little different than most, it will emphasize keeping families together rather than separating them on Sunday morning. After all, aren't most families separated enough during the week these days. Sunday should be a time when the entire family can come to church and learn and grow together.
I will have more information about our new venture soon.
Please pray for God's direction for our family.
Love,
Skip

Family Integrated Church Conference

2008-10-16T18:02:00.004-05:00

Last weekend, four families, loaded the kids and suitcases and journeyed south, leaving Fort Worth behind, and striking out with little more than an open door from God to come see what He is doing in Spring, TX. The Family Integration Church Conference led by Paul Renfro and Voddie Baucham was the destination. For some, the term Family Integrated Church rings unfamiliar, but for our four families, these principles have been calling to us from the pages of Scripture for some time and when we arrived in Spring, we were greeted by strangers, yet embraced as brothers and sisters, it was a homecoming of sort. Time and space will not allow me to elaborate greatly, however, in a very condensed manor, this is what the FIC movement is about.
A biblical model of the Church and the family, in the church, by encouraging families to worship together, in Bible studies, where families learn God's word together, there is no age segregation, which breaks family members up, there is no youth group, which become dens of dating, instead families stay together and the younger learn from the older. (Titus 2). FIC churches demonstrate hospitality in their homes and fathers lead their families in evening devotionals and worship together. Children are taught timeless truths through catechism and families sing together. Teens are recognized as adults, not adolescence, and are given responsibilities at church and home. Discipline is expected, but there is patience in all areas because no one has "arrived". I am thankful to the families that took us in and fed us for three days. May God continue to turn the hearts of fathers back to their children and children back to their fathers. (Malachi 4:6)

Motherhood vs Vice Presidency?

2008-09-08T15:20:00.005-05:00

There are many who praise Sarah Palin's historic nomination, as the Vice Presidential candidate for the Republican Party, as a great leap ahead for women. After all she holds strong conservative values, has a large family, has a solid pro-life stance, and for that she is to be rightly praised. My concern however is not for the Republican party as much as it is for the Family. Not just the Palin family, but the institution of Family established by God and described in the Bible. The roles for men and women are defined in the Scriptures clearly. From the first book of the Bible the family is (Genesis 2:18-25) described by God. He created man first, this is significant because it puts man as the head of the home, establishing his headship over his wife and children, further (Ephesians 5:25-33 and 6:4, Colossians 3:19, 1 Peter 3:7) all explain that husbands are to love and cherish and provide for thier wives and show them honor. The woman is described as his "helper", one who would meet his needs and respect his authority. (Proverbs 31:11-31) shows a woman as one who cares for her household, helping her husband and caring for her children. (Ephesians 5:22-24, 1 Peter 3:1-6, Titus 2:3-5) All describe wives as submissive to thier husbands and nurturing to thier children and keeping the household in good order. Both parents are commanded to teach and instruct thier children in the truths of God's word, instilling in them a biblical worldview. (Proverbs 1:8, 6:20, Psalm 78:1-8, 119:9, Deuteronomy 4:9-10, 6:5-7, Ephesians 6:4)

If this is the biblical standard of husbands and wives, fathers and mothers then clearly the Bible holds motherhood as a noble profession, one to be protected and honored by Christians. Can a woman hold a career and still be God honoring? Perhaps, but the longing of her heart should be to raise up the children that God gave her to mother, and not to pursue a career at the expense of her children. In the same way fathers are to provide for and instruct their children, not spend countless hours on hobbies or in pursuit of selfish ambitions. Due to our "gotta have it now" culture, the truth is that we are sacrificing our children to live in homes we can't afford, drive cars we can't afford and buying gifts we can't afford while our children are given to someone else to raise so we can pay the bills. That sounds crazy, but it's true.

If nothing else, I hope the issue of Sarah Palin possibly holding the office of the Vice Presidency, brings into question the role of a motherhood in our culture.

If our faith doesn't make us distinct and set apart from the culture we live in, has it changed us at all?

Family Worship a lost practice

2008-08-25T11:56:00.006-05:00

Recognizing the Christian parents role
Parents are required to be good stewards of their children who were given to them as gifts from God. (Psalm 127:3)
They are not to be sacrificed to the world system, as is the practice of so many. (Ezekiel 16:20-21)
God expects Christians to raise godly offspring, to fear and obey the Lord. (Malachi 2:15)
Your children are placed in your believing family’s care, by God’s sovereign design, that they might hear God's word regularly read, see your life lived as an example of godliness, and receive discipline when they disobey, so that their souls may be saved.

Family worship prepares the family for public worship. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
The lifeless church worship services in churches everywhere is a direct result of the multitudes of families within the churches that do not spend time during the week in family worship.

Too many families are devoting too much time to worldly activities that may seem beneficial, but are in reality worshipping false gods. (Joshua 24:14-15)

The three main elements of Family Worship are; Singing (Psalm 69:30, Bible reading (Matthew 4:4) and Prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Our children are watching and learning from everything we do, if they see us pursue wealth, entertainment, athletics or anything with a greater devotion and passion than we pursue Christlikeness, they will embrace those things more than Christ, to the detriment of their souls.
The opposite is also true, when our children see that our greatest devotion and passion is for God, and our lesser pursuits are for everything else, they can develop a healthy balance in their lives keeping Christ first, to the betterment of their souls. (1 Timothy 4:16)

Your Family and the Mystery of God

2008-08-06T12:19:00.003-05:00

Man has an insatiable appetite to know and understand the universe around him. Huge amounts of time, energy and resources are spent on the exploration of our world and beyond. Man drills deep into the earth’s crust, dives into the depths of the sea and sends probes into the darkness of space to explore galaxies beyond our own, all in his quest to know the unknown. And yet in all the searching he fails, even refuses, to recognize that the key to understanding the mysteries of all of life is right before him. It is found in the Word of God.
Things have not changed however, our first parents did the same thing, Adam and Eve sought to know the mysteries of the universe apart from the Word of God. (Genesis 2:15-3:6) records their rebellious quest to know the unknown.
The truth is that the great mystery of the universe is the Word of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:15-20, Hebrews 1:2-3) For all things were created through Him and for Him. It’s all about Him!

One key aspect of this mystery is the family structure. You may ask; “How is the family a key aspect of the mystery of God?” The family unit is not just some accidental or arbitrary structure that just so happened to come together by mere chance. It was intentional, designed with a purpose by the creator God, with every aspect meticulously ordered to speak a message; the most important message the world has every known.
It is right there in plain view and yet the world rejects the message, searching for answers in everything else, but failing to see what is clearly set before them.
Marriage and family are living testimonies that identify God’s purposes for mankind, which point directly to the revelation of the church and Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The mandate in Genesis 2:24 to, “…leave father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” It is this mystery that refers directly to Christ and His Church. (Ephesians 5:30-32)
The union of husband and wife is a visible representation of Christ’s union with His Church. A bond that is not to be separated or divorced. The two are to be one, when Paul was on the road to Damascus, he is confronted by the words of Christ, “Why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4), Paul was on his way to persecute the followers of, “The Way” the Church, and Christ identifies Himself as the one being persecuted, He and His Church are one.
Marriage is a representation of this kind of oneness, unity and love.
A wife’s submission to her husband is a loving picture of the church’s submission to the Lord, she is modeling for the church the character traits that are expected of the church toward our Lord. (Ephesians 5:24), A husband’s loving provision, protection and nurture of his wife, is a portrait of Christ’s care for, and leadership of, His Church.
The command for fathers and mothers to instruct and teach their children in (Deuteronomy 6:6-8, Proverbs 1:8, 22:6) is not just arbitrary, it is tied directly to the Gospel and our responsibility to raise our children to fear God, acknowledge their sin, seek God and honor Him with their lives. The command to discipline our children found in (Proverbs 23:13, 3:11-12) has its purpose in the discipline God gives us, to save us from harm, and draw our wandering hearts back to Him.
Fathers are commanded to provide for their families because it is a picture of our heavenly Father’s provision for His children. In the Lord’s model prayer He includes, “Give us this day, our daily bread.” Maybe this is why in, (1 Timothy 5:8), a father who does not provide for his own family, is considered worse than an unbeliever, because by not providing for them, he is giving his family a false image of God the Father.
All of creation, mankind, the order of all things, marriage, family, all point to the glorious truth of the Gospel, and when there is a breakdown in the divine order, there is a false Gospel being presented.
What kind of Gospel is your life, your marriage, your family presenting to the world?

Reverse entrapment or biblical heresy

2008-07-30T16:58:00.004-05:00

Deception and heresy abound and there is little discernment among "believers".
At a recent "Christian conference" those in attendance were asked to give via, their credit cards and by doing so they would entrap the lender to the service of the borrower.
This directly opposes the truth of Proverbs 22:7, "The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender."
The following is from the Cross Talk web-site:

Cross Talk host, Ingred Schlueter, July 22, 2008 (audio available on www.crosstalk.com )
Inspiring Excellence Conference:
Word of Faith teacher and Trinity Broadcasting star, John Avanzini. He delivered a message that included various deceptive teachings. One was a twist on the concept of stones from the Bible. Also included was a teaching he called "reverse entrapment" supposedly derived from the story of Esther and Haman.
Through this reverse entrapment idea, Avenzini encouraged people to give to God using their credit cards. The basic idea is that giving in this way will entrap the creditors with the cards they create that entrap us. In other words, you actually "hang" your lenders when you give in this way.
People in attendance were then encouraged to put a gift the size of their house payment on their credit cards so things would "happen in the spirit world." If people didn't have a house, he told them to make a payment of $500 or more on their credit card toward the ministry. This would allegedly be a first step toward having God pay off mortgages and hence, help people get out of debt.

Thank you Ingred for exposing these lies that are propagated on those who have very little discernment in this age of heresy in the "Christian community".

Debt is a serious matter, too many Christian families are trapped, bound by chains of their own making. They are pursuing the same materialism as the culture around them and have put themselves in bondage to the credit card companies. Christian, examine yourself against the word of God. (Luke 16:13) says, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." Money has a strong influence on people, (1 Timothy 6:10)and God uses money and material possessions to test your loyalty to Him. God commands our hearts be undivided in their devotion to Him. (Deuteronomy 6:4)
Christian families are suffering from debt and marriages are stressed from the unbiblical handling of money. We must repent of our attitude toward money and recognize we are to be good stewards of that which God has entrusted to us.

Label groceries not children

2008-07-21T10:43:00.002-05:00

Desperate parents have made, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) the most prevalent psychiatric diagnosis in US history. Why have so many children in recent years been diagnosed with this "disorder"? How are children diagnosed with ADD? Who is behind the diagnosis and treatment?
The increase in ADD diagnosis is, in the majority of cases, attributed to the desperation of parents who have children that are out of control. These are the same parents who celebrate the end of Summer and the return of their children to the Public School System. I hear it all the time, "I can't wait until school starts up again so I can get the kids out of my hair!" Sadly, due to their lack of control over their children, they will gladly send them to the state to raise. The children are then, the teachers to deal with, along with thirty other kids. Teachers send the students who are out of control to the principle, who in turn, refer them to the nurse who suggest to the parents that their child get screened for ADD, after all, the student's behavior must be some chemical imbalance, it couldn't possibly be a lack of discipline in the home.
The psychiatric screener then asks the typical questions that determine whether or not the child has ADD.
THE STUDENT...
1. Often makes careless mistakes in school work and home work.
2. Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks to play activities.
3. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
4. Often does not follow-through with instructions.
5. Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities.
5. Often avoids or dislikes tasks that require sustained mental effort.
6. Often loses things necessary for tasks.
7. Is often distracted by extraneous stimuli.
8. Is often forgetful in daily activities.
9. Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.
10. Often leaves seat when remaining in seat is expected.
11. Often runs about or climbs excessively.
12. Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities.
13. Is often "on the go" as if driven by a motor.
14. Often talks excessively.
15. Often blurts out answers to questions.
16. Often has difficulty waiting for turn.

If the child has six or more of these symptoms (don't we all), then they are labeled with ADD and are prescribed medication that will calm them down. Parents are often overjoyed to hear that their child's behavior is not their fault, the teacher celebrates because now they can attempt to teach without the interruptions, and the psychiatric community and pharmaceutical companies rejoice at another customer for life!
Christian parent, do not believe this, ADD is not a virus, illness or disease, it is simply a way for parents to excuse their lack of discipline and for teachers to gain control of the classroom and to conform children into the mold of State education. There may be a few rare cases when a child has a true medical condition, but according to research done by Edward Welch, director of counseling at CCEF and the Journal of Biblical Counseling, the vast majority of diagnosis are primarily a discipline issue.
All children are born with a rebellious sin nature and medicating children with Ritalin, Prozac and Norpraminis is not the solution! This avoids the real cause which is the depravity of the human heart. Scripture says in Jeremiah 17:9, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and is desperately wicked, who can understand it?" In Romans 3 we read, "No one is righteous, no not one, no one understands, no one seeks for God." The Bible tells us children must be taught God's word and disciplined for disobeying it. Proverbs 22:6 and 6:20-23 give the responsibility to parents to teach their children God's word. Proverbs 23:13-14 admonish parents to discipline their children when they disobey, for their own good.
Instruction in God's word and discipline are the answer to the problem of rebellious children, not medicating them and striping them of their personalities.
May God change the hearts of parents who cast off their responsibility to raise their children according to His word, choosing instead to medicate their child's behavior to bring about conformity. This is an American tragedy occurring before our very eyes. Christians must pursue a biblical solution.

Culture War?

2008-07-14T15:36:00.003-05:00

You have heard it said that Christians are engaged in a "Culture War", we are often looked at as radicals in our society, after all, we attend Church, sometimes even twice per week, we pray over our meals, we won't allow our children to see rated R movies, and we avoid alcohol and tobacco products. Now all of these may be good and right, but are they radically different? Are these the implements of our warfare?
In all of the surveys and polls taken on Southern Baptists it is strikingly clear that in the areas dealing with family issues, such as, marital harmony, divorce rates, adultery, fornication, domestic violence, juvenile delinquency and amount of debts, conservative Christians demonstrate a sobering sameness to the rest of the culture.
The fact is, that most Christians are following the same patterns as the culture, though perhaps ten or fifteen years behind. Our model of family today doesn't differ greatly from the model set forth by the feminists fifteen years ago. We are running a few years behind the secular humanist culture and we think we are doing well! Tragic! We should be 2000 years behind how the culture defines family. (Colossians 2:8) "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."
Christians have adopted the psychologists "Life-Cycle" model, which includes a rebellious adolescence phase where sexual experimentation, alcohol abuse and recreational drug use, is all part of growing up! We have been indoctrinated in this teaching in the secular schools and in various avenues of the media and have accepted it as normal. Even for a young single, in a Southern Baptist Church who leaves the Church as soon as he or she can drive not return until they are ready to "re-dedicate" their lives to Christ, is considered by many is a common practice. This is the Southern Baptist "Life-Cycle" and it is not biblical. What happened to the example of Timothy (2 Timothy 3:14-15) who was brought up by his mother and grandmother teaching him God's word in the home, resulting in him remaining faithful and became a leader in his church? The idea of a rebellious adolescence stage is not found is Scripture and it should not be accepted as, "Just a phase they go through."

Russell Moore, Dean of Theology at Southern Baptist Seminary, says, "Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of Southern Baptist life is found in the surprisingly high numbers of those who make the trek from our baptisteries to the divorce courts."
For many divorce doesn't seem like a "Culture War" issue because we have grown so accustomed to it. This is an attack, at not only the family, but also the Gospel itself. (Ephesians 5:22-33), explains that marriage is a picture of Christ's sacrifice for His Church, so any attack on marriage, is an attack on this message. If there is not repentance in this generation, our children and grandchildren will, in like manner, be accustomed to same sex marriages and co-habitation as the norm.
Church, we are only as "at war" with the culture as we want to be, as Russell Moore once said, "The weakness of our families is not due to Hue Hefner's mansion, Bill Clinton's White house, Hollywood, or Wall Street", it started with our turning from God's word as the authority in our lives."
As Christians we are not "at war" with the culture, our battle is spiritual, and is to be fought spiritually, our offensive weapon is prayer, our defense is living in obedience to God's word in the power of the Spirit.
May we be a living testimony of changed lives that emulate God's word and not the culture.

Two more lies we've been told

2008-07-09T15:48:00.006-05:00

As Christians we are set apart, chosen by God to bring Him honor and glory, so how is it that we can be set apart when we go about living our lives in the same manner as the lost culture around us? God's word tells us, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2)
Yes when you attend church regularly, order you home around biblical principles and avoid self-destructive behavior there will be people who call you a fool or worse, but God has called you for this very reason, "For consider your calling, brothers; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." (1 Corinthians 26-27) The way you live matters to God.
We must reject the lies the world holds up as normal and good and set ourselves apart as different because the Bible dictates how we live, not the culture around us.
Lie #3 - Materialism, which says the more stuff you have, the more successful you are, and the more respect you deserve. This is the American Creed. It teaches that being in debt is normal and good. As if financial prosperity somehow will bring about righteousness and virtue. The Bible tells the Christian that the borrower is a slave to the one he borrows from, (Proverbs 22:7, Deuteronomy 15:6 & 28:2) and as Christians we are to be a slave to only one, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Lie #4 - Pragmatism, which says, if it is working and giving us the results we want then it must be right. It is the attitude found in (Judges 21:25) that says, "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." This is relativism and it has been embraced by many in the church today. Rather than allowing the Scripture dictate how we "do church" or "do marriage" or "do family" sadly, we take a pragmatic approach and do whatever seems to work at the time to get the results we want. Are we to be about pleasing God or men?
My friends, we must examine our lives to see if we too have accepted these secular teachings and if so, cast them off and seek the truth of God's word, after all He created us and knows what is best for us.

The lies we believe

2008-07-07T10:35:00.003-05:00

As a Christian, I want to live a life that is always reforming. What I mean is that when confronted with a biblical truth that is contrary to a belief that I currently hold, I want to be willing to affirm what God's word says and submit to it, rather than holding on to my own beliefs or traditions. With this in mind lets look at a few common lies that many in the church have embraced as being the truth.
Lie #1 - Feminism - The promotion of Feminism in the church has affected the way many women view their roles. Wives and mothers are encouraged to pursue careers outside of the home, sending their children to someone else, such as a business, to raise. Feminism teaches women to be self reliant, independent and changes her role from wife and mother to co-provider or wage earner. Homemaking is thought of as oppressive or slavery for many women in the church today, which is in direct opposition to the biblical model found in Titus 2:3-8 and Proverbs 31:10-31, Ephesians 5:22-23. I realize that some women work outside of the home for financial reasons. Some of the problem is that families have a great deal of debt or are living so far beyond their means that a single wage earner can not provide enough. To this I would encourage families to get out of debt as quickly as possible, this may mean selling their home and moving into a smaller, less expensive place. I would encourage families to be pursuing the biblical model of family, working toward this model may take time, but having your wife and the children's mother home to care for and nurture then is priceless and God honoring.
Lie #2 - Socialism - The promotion of Socialism is the belief that it is the government's responsibility to care for the elderly, widows and orphans. It is the lie that it is the government's responsibility to help those who have lost a job through programs such as, Welfare, Unemployment, Food stamps and a host of other social programs that have made Christians dependent on the government, rather than on the church to meet our needs. Our churches are guilty of forsaking our own by turning our backs on people in need, directing them to government agencies for help instead of caring for them and loving our neighbor. The Scriptures give us clear instruction in this matter: Proverbs 14:21, "Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor."
James 1:27 tells us, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father is this; to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world." other verses to consider are; Proverbs 21:13, Matthew 6:3-4, 1 Timothy 5:1-9, 1 John 3:17
Socialism has led Chrisitians to become complacent and self-centered, we are guilty of forsaking our widows and fatherless children to businesses like Day Care Centers and Old Folks Homes, or government run facilities, rather than our churches caring for them and providing for them ourselves. The lack of concern we show for fatherless children has manifest itself in the lack of concern we show for the unborn children of our nation. There is a spiraling downward of values and morals when families forsake the biblical model of family and trust in the lies of the culture they live in.
It is the church's responsibility, not the governments, to care for the needs of people and in doing so share the love of Christ and His message of salvation with them in their time of need.
I will share three more lies that are commonly believed by many Christians in my next blog.

The Consequences of Forgetting God

2008-07-01T14:49:00.002-05:00

We are living with the consequences of turning away from the truth of God's word and embracing lies. Even within the church we have adopted these lies as if they were the truth and ordered our homes and churches accordingly. What are the lies we have adopted? The answer to that in my next blog entry, first, I want to look at the Scriptures and see that this practice is not new to our generation.
(Judges 2:7-15)
In this text we find that Joshua was at the end of his life, the Lord had just reminded him to remind the people of what God had done for them and not to turn away from the word of God. We find in verse seven, "And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua." Next we read that Joshua dies then in verse ten we read, "And all of that generation was also gathered to their fathers..." Those who served with Joshua had died and now their children were in charge. At the end of verse ten a very sad statement is made, "And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel."
Those who served with Joshua had seen God work on their behalf, they witnessed God's power and faithfulness, enjoyed the fruit of their conquests and God's provision, but tragically they were so consumed with the spoils of their labors they neglected to obey God's command to tell the next generation of what the Lord had done. Their children, as a consequence, interpreted their parents and grandparents affluence as coming from their own doing and not God's provision. The text states that the next generation, "...did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel." The reason they did not know the Lord is because their parents did not tell them and did not speak of God, or his works, in their homes.
Today there is a generation of people who do not know the Lord or the works that he has done for America. Many who call themselves Christians do not speak of the Lord in their homes, they do not worship together as families and they have forsaken the assembly of believers together in the church.
Our generation has forsaken God and adopted the lies of the culture we live in as the truth, we have ordered our families the same way the pagans do and for this we all are suffering the consequences.

Defining Family (Part 2)

2008-06-25T15:01:00.004-05:00

A person who considers themself to be a Christian must acknowledge God's word to be the final authority in their life. The reformers of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries called for solo Scriptura!, the Scriptures alone! Clearly standing on God's word as having authority over the words of Popes or counsels. Today most evangelical Christians would stand and say, Amen, to this stance on God's word, however, too often we find these same believers shrinking back when it comes to ordering our families solo Scriptura, by the Scriptures alone.
The Bible gives us the model for marriage and family, teaching that the man is the head of the home (Genesis 1:26-27) and (Genesis 2:18-25), he is to be the leader, (Ephesians 525-33) authority figure, spiritual shepherd to the family leading them in family worship (Deuteronomy 6:6-8), he is to love and cherish his wife, (Colossians 3:19) ,as well as the provider and protector. The woman is to be a helper to her husband (Genesis 2:18), a keeper at home, assisting in the instruction and education of the children(Proverbs 1:8), submissive, (Ephesians 5:22-24) encourager, to respect her husband (1 Peter 3:1-6) and she is to be productive at home (Titus 2:5) and manage the home well (Proverbs 31).
The Scripture clearly indicates that the husband is to love and cherish his wife and provide for his family, and a wife is to be taking care of the home, nuturing her children, and esteeming her husband. Let us hold to this model and encourage one another to be activily pursuing it in our homes. It may take some families longer to get there, and patience is required, but all Christians who hold the Bible as the final authority in their lives must be working to fulfill the model of family that the Scriptures teach, not the destructive model of family the world teaches.

Defining Family

2008-06-23T13:23:00.003-05:00

A false view of God leads to a distortion of His Word and His definition of family. (Part I)
Today's culture might define family as cohabitation, in a recent survey acceptability of cohabitation among teens has increased dramatically. In 1975 32% of American High school seniors agreed that, "It is usually a good idea for a couple to live together before getting married." By 1995, the figure had skyrocketed to 59%, and today over 60% believe cohabitation is preferable before marriage. There has been an alarming 700% increase in cohabiting heterosexuals adults since 1970.
A recent Washington Post-ABC News poll showed that there is also a rapid public shift taking place in regard to civil unions of same sex couples. The survey found 54% of respondents favored civil unions of gay and lesbian couples.

The biblical model of family is eroding before our very eyes and many "Christians" are part of the problem. As a Christian I cannot point to the break-down of the biblical model of the family and blame those who do not claim faith in Jesus Christ, on the contrary, I recognize that those people do not have the capacity to live according to the biblical mandates of marriage and family. No, I point to those who claim to be "Christians" and yet, live their lives in such a way as to bring into question the truth and life changing power of God's word. Almost 50% of so-called "Christian" marriages are ending in divorce. How can this be? Does God's word have no authority? Does the Holy Spirit have no power? Or should it be said, that those who pursue this end bring into question their own salvation? We must recognize that sin is at the root of this break down, and repentance is required of those who practice it.